Straightway Water Treatment facility groundbreaking ceremony group of people with shovels and dirt in front of water tank

Kleinfelder Leads Engineering Design of $38-Million Water Treatment Facility Upgrade in Barnstable, Massachusetts

November 13, 20250

On October 28, 2025, the Town of Barnstable celebrated a major milestone with the groundbreaking of the new Straightway Water Treatment Facility, a transformative project aimed at strengthening the Hyannis Water System and bringing clean, reliable drinking water to over 7,000 homes and businesses. The ceremony brought together state and local officials, community leaders, and project partners to mark the beginning of construction on this vital infrastructure investment.

Kleinfelder’s team of engineering professionals led the planning, piloting, design, and permitting of the new facility. The multidisciplinary team played a pivotal role in advancing the project from concept to bidding in just 11 months, allowing the Town to meet critical funding deadlines.

Kleinfelder provided comprehensive engineering services for the Straightway Water Treatment Facility, including:

  • Advanced process treatment design for removal of PFAS, iron, manganese, and 1,4-dioxane
  • Design (architectural, structural, site-civil, and geotechnical services) of a new 11,000-square-foot treatment facility with advanced treatment technologies, backwash and residuals management systems, and stormwater management
  • Design of two new replacement wells and vertical turbine pump stations Preparation of a MEPA Environmental Impact Report, including an Environmental Justice public outreach program, and other state, federal, and local permitting requirements
Rendering of new Straightway Water Treatment facility building and water tank

Kleinfelder’s rendering of the new Straightway Water Treatment Facility

The facility will treat water from four wells that currently operate at only half their permitted capacity due to aging infrastructure and contamination. Kleinfelder’s supply-demand analysis led to the decision to consolidate treatment operations into a single facility, saving the Town over $6 million in capital costs while minimizing service disruptions.

The Straightway Water Treatment Facility project is funded in part by the Massachusetts Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) and reflects the Town’s proactive approach to water quality, especially in addressing contaminants like PFAS and 1,4-dioxane.

Construction is expected to span three years, during which Kleinfelder will also provide construction administration services, with completion anticipated in Spring 2028. The existing facility will remain operational during the construction phase to accommodate seasonal population surges of the Cape Cod area. The new Straightway Water Treatment Facility will operate year-round, improve resiliency against flooding, and enhance water quality for generations to come.